Government of Alberta Announces new Crowdfunding Platform for Nonprofits
The Government of Alberta has announced a new crowdfunding platform, intended to support organizations to fundraise online. According to their release, the Crowdfunding Alberta platform is meant to “enable organizations to quickly raise money by collecting small, individual contributions from a large pool of donors through an online platform and help donors find local non-profits and causes they care about”. In addition to managing the platform, the government is providing $1 million in “top-up” funding aimed at encouraging donations through the platform.
Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge Grant Program
The Government of Alberta recently announced the Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge Grant Program. The purpose of this new program is to fund, “initiatives led by Alberta nonprofit organizations that help enhance women’s economic opportunities by providing strategies and solutions to address barriers and engage more effectively in the economy”.
CCVO’s Submission Regarding the Charitable Fund-raising Act
CCVO recently made a submission to Tanya Fir, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction, asking that the Charitable Fund-raising Act is amended to exempt charities and nonprofits from being required to register. With approximately 900 organizations currently registered under the Charitable Fund-raising Act, creating this exemption could significantly reduce the administrative burden on nonprofits, charities, and public servants alike.
Government of Alberta’s Public Inquiry into Environmental Groups
Last month, Premier Jason Kenney announced that the government will launch a public inquiry into the foreign funding sources of environmental groups who are critical of Alberta’s energy sector policies. Before that, Premier Kenney promised to establish an ‘Energy War Room’ to respond to campaigns directed at Alberta's oil and gas sector. Here is what we know and how we think it might impact the nonprofit sector, particularly organizations that hold charitable status designation through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).